Five-time All-Ireland winner Declan O'Sullivan has announced his Kerry retirement.

O'Sullivan, described as a "warrior" by Kerry boss Eamonn Fitzmaurice, is one of only eight players to have twice captained a county to All-Ireland glory - he lifted the Sam Maguire Cup in 2006 and 2007.

The 30-year-old described his decision as "incredibly difficult" but it had become increasingly tough for the Dromid Pearses man to commit fully due to work and family duties, while he has revealed that ongoing knee issues ultimately forced his hand.

O'Sullivan, who won three AllStars between 2007 and '09, made his championship debut against Tipperary in 2003 and claimed every honour possible with the Kingdom over 11 years of service with the senior side.

The last of his 70 Kerry appearances came off the bench in the All-Ireland final win over Donegal in September, while he was outstanding earlier in the summer in the Munster final defeat of Cork .

At club level, O'Sullivan won county and Munster and Junior medals, as well as four senior county championship titles with divisional side South Kerry .

"Today, I would like to announce my retirement from inter-county football," said O'Sullivan in a statement released on Kerry's official website this morning.

"It has been an incredibly difficult decision to arrive at but, after a lot of consideration, I feel now is the right time.

"Unfortunately, due to some long-standing injuries, it would be impossible for me to physically compete at the required level in 2015.

"Hopefully, after a long rest and some corrective work on my knees, I will be able to enjoy playing with my club for a number of years to come."

O'Sullivan decided to play on in 2014 following talks with Kerry boss Fitzmaurice, who paid tribute to O'Sullivan's "stubborn streak" that made him such a great competitor.

“On behalf of the Kerry management and players I would like to congratulate Declan O’Sullivan on his retirement," said Fitzmaurice, who was also a former team-mate.

"He has won everything and has lifted Sam Maguire twice as captain.

"His honesty, the warrior-like way he leads by example and his innate football ability meant his team mates loved him.

"He also has a stubborn streak that meant he always fought his corner obstinately, be it in an argument or to win a breaking ball that might turn a game.

"His display in the Munster final was one of the great performances. He was always excellent at reading what a game required and delivering that."

O'Connor said: "He will go down as one of the truly great Kerry players and as well as the contribution he made to the county.

"He was also a great clubman with both Dromid Pearses and South Kerry as well as with his school, Colaiste na Sceilge.

"He was a fantastic player, even at a very young age and one of the great Kerry forwards of all time – there’s no question about that."

Patrick O'Sullivan, Chairman of Kerry County Committee also paid tribute to O'Sullivan.

“As Kerry people we all owe Declan O’Sullivan a great debt of gratitude for the outstanding service he has given to the county in a career that stretches way back to his Minor days in 2001," said O'Sullivan.

"Declan will be a huge loss to the Kerry setup, both as a player on the field of play and on the training field and in the dressing room where his leadership qualities were never more evident than in this year’s championship campaign where he nurtured the younger players around him.

"To Declan, and his family Michelle, Ollie and Robbie, I extend a sincere thank you on behalf of the Gaels of Kerry ".​